Our test tube connectors come in 3 sizes in millimetres(mm)we have a 100mm connector that connects our 100mm long tubes and 150mm connector that connects our 150mm long tubes and a 100-150mm connector that connects a 100mm and 150mm long tube together. Our connectors come with a flat base that stops test tubes rolling over and are a snug fit. They also have 0.4mm air holes that allow ants to breath during the test tube changing process.
These connectors fit our 100 and 150mm test tubes and are likely to fit other clear plastic test tubes but we can’t guarantee this so if you are unsure, we recommend using our test tubes that can be bought in our store.
The dimensions are categorised as follows in millimetres Inner diameter (ID), Outer diameter (OD), Connector side length (CSL), Total Length (TL)
100mm connector: ID:12mm OD:13.85mm CSL:9.5mm TL:28mm
150mm connector: ID:12mm OD:14.77mm CSL:9.5mm TL:28mm
100-150mm connector: ID:12mm OD;100mm side13.85mm 150mm side14.77: CSL:9.5mm TL:27.55
If you have any additional questions please contact us.
When using our test tube connectors, we encourage you to expose the old test tube to natural light but not direct sunlight and cover the new test tube in darkness with some tin foil or red acetate sheet or even a dry cloth or towel. You can also use heat on the newer test tube and our test tube holders with a heat cable combined when using the connectors, or use the connectors with a heat mat.
Read about our 3d printing process below!
What makes our 3D printing process so different?
We have obtained the highest performing 3D printers in terms of price to performance and often rated top in terms performance at the higher end of the market. This insures we have the very best and latest 3D printing technology at our disposal ensuring the best possible quality of 3D printing.
What sets us apart from the competition?
3D printed products for ant keeping we believe are not up to standard in terms of durability as pretty much every company uses a product called PLA which is also known as poly lactic acid a “biodegradable” plastic. This polymer absorbs moisture over time after printing which can degrade its structure and make it more fragile and brittle which makes it less reusable, and it also can degrade and melt with warm water from a tap which we think it is unacceptable and the industry needs to change so here we are.
PLA is not recyclable in local recycling facilities in the UK currently via domestic recycling and the only way PLA would breakdown in months is if you personally compost it and in landfill this product can last decades or even 100s of years potentially before its breakdown, so conditions have to be met for this product to biodegrade which we think is misleading to consumers in general.
We do not use PLA in our 3D printed products in any form, this means that we use a higher quality plastic that requires a higher quality printer and this plastic costs more and is harder to work with as well as requiring a higher temperature to manufacture increasing our costs of production.
How we plan to be more environmentally friendly?
Our aim is to use this plastic to create higher quality and much more durable 3D printed products targeting reusability. We are talking products that would be good to use years down the line and avoiding you having to put them into landfill in the first place by doing this we are hoping to lower yours and our carbon footprint over the long term and means you spend less money on poor quality products that do not last long.
Our product testing?
As we are new to the 3D printing market, we have done tons of research and development. We do inhouse testing over weeks and in some cases months with our colonies before we release the products to independent testers, they are experienced ant keepers with many colonies and different species types in which we gain their honest feedback. If there are issues with our products in the second stage, we will revise our products and then we will test them once more. This process insures you only get the very best quality. IF there are issues with your products you can always contact us, and we are happy to find a solution. Just like we helped revolutionise ant keeping making it more accessible with much better customer service and quality of ants we are going to do the same to 3D printed products related to ant keeping.
